Animals in the military
During the First World War, animals played crucial roles in supporting the warring armies. They were used to carry heavy loads and messages, to pull carts and artillery pieces, to carry men into battle and to evacuate the wounded, and to warn of danger. Some were kept as mascots.
Camels
The Imperial Camel Corps Brigade, formed in Egypt in 1916, included personnel from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Camels, renowned for their ability to traverse long distances in hot, arid environments were used by the Allies during the Middle East campaigns for transporting equipment, water, supplies, and personnel. Some were even used as ambulances, with stretcher-like cacolets attached to their saddles.
Dogs
Dogs, serving as guards, messengers, and even companions, played diverse roles during the war. When traditional communication methods failed, they carried important messages in canisters attached to their collars. Large dogs formed teams to haul heavy equipment, such as carts loaded with machine guns or ammunition. Many also found a place as mascots and pets.
Donkeys and mules
Donkeys, well-suited to hot, rugged environments due to their smaller size, were essential in transporting ammunition, supplies, and water at Gallipoli. Some medical personnel like Private John 'Jack' Simpson used donkeys to carry wounded soldiers to safety.
Horses
Horses were carefully selected for their ability to carry substantial loads. Waler horses, preferred by the Australians in the Middle East, demonstrated resilience in the desert conditions of the Sinai Campaign. Most horses need about 30L of water per day, but a Waler in the Middle East could survive up to 3 days without a drink. They proved to be better than camels for quickly transporting troops to a battle.
Horses used by the Light Horse had to be able to carry up to 120kg, day after day. This load included a rider, saddle and horse tack, rations for the horse and rider, a bedroll, clothing, rifle and ammunition.
While on the move, the horses were fed from a nosebag, a canvas bag filled with feed and tied over its head. More than 120,000 horses were shipped from Australia, with more than 81,000 sent to India and some 39,000 serving with the Australian Light Horse in Egypt and Palestine.
Only one horse is known to have returned after the war, Sandy the Waler. He was originally Major General William Bridges’ mount, who died at Gallipoli. Sandy was then sent to Egypt and later France until, after months in an English quarantine station, he returned to Melbourne by ship in 1918.
Pigeons
Pigeons, known for their speed and homing instincts, were integral to military communication. The Australian Corps Signal Company utilised pigeons to carry messages in small containers attached to their legs, providing reliable information transmission. The birds were delivered to the front line in baskets and released with messages when the situation required it..
Mascots and military units
Animals, particularly dogs, served as mascots symbolising military units. Dogs, known for providing companionship and comfort, were popular choices, while unconventional choices included roosters and goats.
The unusual mascot of the 2nd Divisional Signals Company in France was 'Jackie' the rooster, who had come from Egypt as a chick.
Ship's cats were common on ships to catch the rats. The mascot of HMAS Encounter was a kitten who would sit inside a large naval gun.
In Melbourne, 'Cocky' the cockatoo became a mascot for veterans in No. 1 Red Cross Rest Home. He was known to use colourful words that made the nurses blush and the soldiers laugh. He even spoke some German. One nurse recalled that Cocky 'gave much pleasure to many a sick man'.
Some troops brought animals from Australia to Egypt, like kangaroos and koalas, but they could not go home again due to the cost and quarantine laws. At the end of the war, many were donated to the Cairo Zoo, which was said to have a large collection of Australian native animals in the 1950s.
Veterinary care
The Australian Army Veterinary Corps, established in 1909, played a pivotal role in caring for animals. Veterinarians treated wounds, injuries, and inoculated animals against diseases, ensuring their well-being in challenging conditions. Horses were often injured when they stepped on nails. The nail injury was called a 'PUN', which stood for 'picked-up nail'. Nails became a common source of lameness because they were left in the ashes of burned packing boxes, which were raked out onto roadways on the Western Front.
Memorials to animals
Acknowledging the sacrifices of animals during war, various memorials stand as tributes to their unwavering service. These memorials serve as poignant reminders of the vital role animals played alongside their human counterparts.